One of my favorite classroom management strategies is using hand signals! I swear by them! I don't even know how I ever managed a classroom without them. I've revamped them and I always seem to change them from year to year. That makes the beginning of my year pretty interesting....staring at a child trying to figure out what in the world they're asking me. Or, calling on someone for an answer when they're holding up the tissue sign.
However, once I have my hand signals down, I feel unstoppable! Seriously, teaching a lesson and someone needs:
a tissue
the bathroom
a drink
a new pencil
help with their work
I don't ever have to interrupt the flow of what I'm doing to address it. I just keep on going about my business like nothing else is even going on outside of my priceless words of wisdom that I'm imparting upon my eager students. Okay, maybe the last part is an exaggeration but the rest is entirely true!!
So, here are the signals that are up right now. I picked these up on TpT for a very reasonable price. I use freebie signals before but there were always ones that I needed that I couldn't find in the set. Sure, I could've made my own posters but doesn't that defeat the purpose of using such a time-saving device? These ones are perfect and I love the multicultural hands!
So, give it a try if you haven't yet and share your favorite classroom management strategy below!!
Hello fellow teachers and readers!! I am so happy to share some great end of the year classroom management thoughts and tricks with you for this month's Bright Ideas Link Up!
If you're like me, you're getting pretty tired right about now! Those little annoyances that have been happening throughout the day since December are starting to build up and build up and build up some more. On top of that, you have state testing, the return of sunny weather, stress about getting your end of the year assessments or portfolios done, maybe you have to pack up your entire room so that you can move rooms this summer, and maybe your class is just really trying your patience!
Well, I'm here to deliver a little dose of classroom management positivity to help you regain your focus, rally in your class, and end the year with positive vibes!!
1) Remember who your students are.
I truly believe in the quote below. When that kid gets out of his seat for the 17 time during and you think your brain is going to explode, take a second and remember what you're doing in that moment that might be triggering it.
2) RETEACH!
Yes, seriously...this late in the year! I don't think there's a time that they need the reminder more than they do right now. We teach them in September. We teach them again in December. We teach them again in April. Save yourself some stress and anguish and teach them again in June!! Reteach them everyday...like it's day 1.
"We're going to pack up and now and I need to see people with their voices off. You should go straight to your backpack and mailbox and then straight back to your desk. (Insert struggling student's name), do you think you can show the class how we pack up in this room?"
All of the routines, all the time.
3) Don't just let it slide.
When you let their disrespect or poor behavior slide, you're passively teaching them that it's ok. "Sure, it's ok to scream your head off in line from the playground to the door." It's not ok. You know it's not ok. Don't make it acceptable by avoiding it. Implement an immediate consequence so that it stops there and doesn't continue for the next 2-5 weeks.
4) Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
If they're too loud in the morning, stop them. Walk all the way back and do it all over again. Too much talking when they lined up for recess? Go all the way back and start all over again. This kind of goes along with not letting it slide. Remind them what your expectations are and don't let them get away with anything less than that!!
5) Watch great teachers in action and get inspired!
I LOVE Teach Like a Champion. It inspires me endlessly! Watch some of the videos if you can!!
6) Listen to some inspirational podcasts!
Have you ever heard of Sheila Jane Teaching? If not, you should really look her up online or in your podcast app if you have iTunes. She inspires me daily. Heck, even follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. She's always brining cheerful thoughts and peaceful mantras to the table. Sometimes, I just play one of these in the morning while I'm getting ready for the day. It always changes my mood before the kids come in! I love her videos and podcasts! She gets it, I promise!
Now, I know that none of these ideas are breathtaking strategies that you've never heard before. However, I just wanted to send you a little positive reminder that you can make it through. The struggle won't last forever if you push through and fall back on what you know to be effective!!
Please leave a comment with your favorite classroom management strategy below!!
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Since you're reading this, I think it's safe to assume that you survived this Valentine's Day party edition of Friday the 13th! I feel like I should cue some scary music here!
In honor of everyone who made it out alive, I'd like to link up with Teaching Blog Addict and share a freebie with you that went up on my store last night. I was getting pretty overwhelmed with some of the messes in my students desks and I created these little slips that I can randomly leave on their desks to help hold them accountable for their mess or thank them for being clean and tidy. The desk tags slip is for those students who pick at the tape and damage their name tags or other things that are taped to the desk.
I used them last week and gave the students with clean desks a treat. The rest of the students had to clean up. I felt so much better after they got rid of all of the junk. Some of the students even joked with me that we should create a version of hoarders just for classrooms. Wouldn't that be entertaining?!
I found some of the most interesting things...including a shoelace stuffed in someones book box. Of course, you can imagine my questions here:
So, were you just walking around with only one shoe laced?
Where did this come from in the first place if you were not walking around with one shoe unlaced?
Why on Earth would the best place for this be your book box? Wouldn't you want to take it home and reunite it with its shoe?
Clearly, the list goes on! :)
Now, onto the freebie...click the title image to download it for free in my store!
I hope that you enjoy these and they help keep your students accountable in the classroom!
Welcome to my blog of 5th grade magic!I am happy you're here!
I am a 5th grade teacher and blogger from Oregon. I have been teaching since 2007! I have experience in grades 3, 4 and 5.
I love doing yoga, working out, reading, and traveling when I'm not teaching. I'm inspired by fashion and beauty and I love bringing excitement into the lives of my students.
